Match dispenser



Oct.- 19, 1937. M. R. SCHOFF MATCH DISPENSER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 28, 1955 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Oct. 19, 1937. M. R. SCHOFF MATCH DISPENSER Filed Oct. 28, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 19, 1937 UNITED STATES ween PATENT OFFlCE.

2 Claims.

This invention relates to match dispensers, and its general object is to provide a dispenser in the form of a safe designed to accommodate a box of matches of the usual household type, after one end of the box has been removed and to individually dispense the matches in a manner whereby a single match is held in a depending position so that it can be readily grasped by the user to be withdrawn from the safe.

A further object of the invention is to provide a match dispenser for individually dispensing matches, that includes means whereby the dispensed match can be ignited as it is being withdrawn, and without danger of igniting other matches within the safe.

,A still further object of the invention is to provide a match dispenser of the character set forth,

that includes a tray, underlying the outlet means of the safe, for the purpose of receiving damaged matches and burned match sticks or stems.

Another object of the invention is to provide a match dispenser that protects the matches from moisture, eliminates premature ignition, is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and extremely efficient in use, operation and service.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, to be hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing my invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawings wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views and in which:

Figure 1 is a front View of the dispenser which forms the subject matter of the present invention, with parts in dotted lines.

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 33 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows. 1

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken approximately on line t-4 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken approximately on line 55 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is a bottom plan view with parts broken away and in section.

Referring to the drawings in detail, it will be noted that the body of my dispenser is formed from a single blank of material, and includes a front wall I, a rear wall 2 and side Walls 3, the

latter being relatively narrow to provide a body of substantially rectangular configuration and the side walls have substantially triangular shaped lower portions 4, with converging portions v 5 of the front and rear walls following the edges of the portions 4 and contacting the same for cooperation therewith to provide a restricted body formation, it being apparent that the tabs are bent inwardly against the side wall, for that purpose.

Formed on and rising from the front and rear walls I and 2 are relatively narrow strap members 9 and I6, the latter having a horizontal portion, ll with a tab l2 formed on the forward end thereof to be received in a slot of the strap member 9 for securing the strap members together and about a box l3 for the matches, for holding the box securely with respect to and withits lower portion within the body, as clearly shown in Figure 1.

Disposed within the body is a hopperv that includes a pair of strips 14 disposed in converging relation with respect to each other with their lower ends separated a considerable distance to provide a passageway for the matches, as will be apparent. The strips M are secured within the body through the instrumentality of tabs l5 that extend through the front, rear and side walls, as clearly shown in Figure 2.

Secured to the outlet end of the body is what I term a trough which is of somewhat elongated,

Secured to the flat upper portion l6 and ex- 7 tending therefrom in converging relation with respect to each other, are flanges H which are coextensive with the length of the portion l6 and have their lower edges arranged in close proximity, to an extent to allow the stem A of a match to pass therethrough, but not the head B, consequently when a match is dispensed from the hopper, it will be held by its head between the flanges and in a manner to depend therefrom, as clearly shown in Figure 2. The trough is fixed to the converging portions 5 through the instrumentality of tabs l8.

In order that the matches are individually dispensed, I employ a feeding means that includes a roller 19 of cylindrical formation, with grooves 29 extending longitudinally therein throughout the length thereof, and each groove is to receive a single match from the hopper, as will be apparent upon inspection of Figure 2. The grooves have match head receiving recesses arranged therein, adjacent the ends thereof. The roller is hollow and the ends 2| thereof are each provided with a square opening to receive a shaft 2| which is square in cross section to lit the openings, so that when the shaft is rotated, the roller will be moved accordingly. The shaft extends through the sides of the body and has one end flattened as at 22 and the opposite end is shaped to provide a handle 23. Disposed between the handle 23 and the adjacent side of the body is a sleeve 24 to act as a spacing means, as will be apparent.

I also provide a tray to receive damaged matches and burned sticks, and the tray as best shown in Figure 5 includes a receptacle portion 25 having an inclined forward wall26 bent toinclude a groovedrportion 2! at its upper forward end. Formed on the forward wall 25 and rising from the lower end thereof is a rear wall 28 that includes an extension 29 rising therefrom, with tabs 39 formed on the upper ends thereof for securing the tray to the rear wall of the body and whereby the receptacle portion thereof underlies the outlet end of the dispenser. The extension 29 may be tapered as shown. I

In the use of my device a box of matches of the usual household type is placed within the body of the dispenser after one end of the box has been removed; The open end of the box engages the upper end of the hopper, consequently the latter will be filledwith matches. The feeding means is rotated by the handle 23 for individually removing a match from the hopper, in that the lower end of the hopper is disposed in close proximity to the roller of the feeding means. Thematch is then carried by a. groove to a position whereby it will drop by gravity for disposal through the trough as shown in Figure 2. The undersurface of the extending ends of the flat upper portion I6 is serrated as at 3| to act as an igniting means, with the result as the match is withdrawn from the trough, a slight upward movement can be given thereto for drawing the head across the serrated portions to ignite the match as will be apparent. However, a match can be withdrawn without igniting the same by carefully sliding the same through and out of the ends of the trough.

Any suitable means may be employed for supporting my dispenser in position for use, and it will be noted that I have illustrated key hole shaped slots 32 in the rear wall thereof for the purpose of receiving nails or the like.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of my invention will be readily apparent.

I desire it to be understood that I may make changes in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A match dispenser comprising a body including front and rear walls, and having an open upper end and an outlet at its lower end, a hopper disposed within said body and the latter being adapted to receive a box of matches to be supported by the hopper, and for the passage of matches from the box to the hopper, relatively narrow strapmembers formed on and rising from the front and rear walls of the body for disposal in spaced parallel relation with respect to each other, a horizontal portion formed on the upper end of the strap member of the rear wall, for engagement withthe top of the box of matches, the, strap of the front wall having a. slot in its upper end, a tab on the forward end of the horizontal portion and receivable in the slot for detachably securing the box within the body, and means for feeding the matches from the hopper to the outlet end of the body. I

2. A match dispenser comprising a body having an open upper end and an outlet at its lower end,

' a hopper within the body and including converging portions, said body adapted to receive a box of matches to be mounted upon the hopper for the passage of the matches from the box to the hopper, a trough including a flat upper portion having a. slot therein for the passage of the outlet endof the body therethrough, said trough extending laterally beyond the sides of the body and having converging flanges depending from the outer longitudinal edges of the flat upper portion, the lower edges of the flanges being arranged in close proximity and cooperating with each other to provide a stop to receive and support the matches by their heads with the sticks depending therefrom, means for individually feeding matches from the hopper to the trough and the lateral extending portions having open ends and serrated under surfaces, the latter being arranged in the path of the matches for use in igniting the latter when directed toward said open ends as they are being withdrawn from the trough,

. MAYNARD R. SCI-IOFF. 

